Hill-Pumper

As many of you know, my wife has lately taken a new interest in biking. I did not know how committed to it she was until this week when she asked if we sell her comfort bike so we could bye more bike gear for her. Evidently after riding the road bike for a couple of weeks, the comfort bike is now to slow for her. She then asked if we could use the money for a trainer in the wintertime. I think the bike bug has bitten her bad, not that I mind that too much. Now, my dad who is 71 has been asking questions about bikes. After a talk with Mrs.Pumper, I wheeled her comfort bike over to my parents house to see if my dad would like to try it out. He told me that he has ridden it the last two mornings. His first ride was half a mile, and this morning was close to a mile. I don't think that is too bad for a guy that has not ridden a bike in over 40 years. I'm not sure how this bike virus started, but I think that I like it.

loneviking61

...and the next thing you know, you are building wheels and rebuilding vintage road bikes in the garage! There's so many ways for this sickness to progress.

bigfred 

What an awesome infection to be afflicted with!

I tell ya'. Mrs. Fred and my trainers are our winter time saviours. I make one suggestion with regard to the purchase of one and that is to invest in one that provides variable resistance via wind or fluid. Get this, now that we each have a trainer, SHE'S asking about the possibility of us getting a set of rollers:-) I knew I married her for a reason. I love this woman.

Anyhow. Keep up the good work with regard to spreading the bicycle bug. It really is a sport that can last your entire life. UCI has even added an age category for centenarian records.

Besides the trainer, what else is on Mrs. Hill Pumpers wish list?

SkippyX

I think that's awesome!

Unfortunately, the weather around here has been crap ever since we got my wife's bike for her. We've only been out together twice since. My work schedule and the weather have not cooperated at all.

However, whenever we're out riding she has said she likes it much better than walking and keeps commenting on how much fun it is.

My son is still groovin' on the C&V Fuji ('73 Special Road Racer) that I gave him. His g/f apparently is interested in getting a bike for herself.

One of my coworkers has taken up running, and asked me about my workout and how it affected my energy levels and was there much pain involved at first. I gave him a few suggestions from what I remembered from basic training (all those years ago) and mentioned how running really is kind of hard on the joints. He said he was thinking about hitting a bike shop sometime soon to look into bicycles.

He can't believe how much weight I've dropped in such a short time. He's not fat by any means, but he is in his mid 20's and he's starting to develop a wee paunch. I was poking fun at him a couple of months ago. "keep it up, bud, and soon enough you'll look like me!"

I guess I scared him. (shrug)

Mr. Beanz

That's cool, keep her riding cause it's great for the both of you physically and romantically.

Years ago my ride buds said that I should not waste my money on Gina bike equipment as she would not appreciate it as I would. 15 years later she is still riding and they aren't.

...and she has completed mountain climbs that they have yet to attempt!


from 10 mile rides at 11 mph to 84 mile rides with the boys and a best climb of 42 miles with 5,000 ft.

forum rider witnesses.

Mondo734

Thats an great story. Cycling is definitely contagious, last year I got my wife to start riding and just last Tuesday I helped my cousin pick out his bike and some bike gear. Said cousin lives with my parents and after seeing him ride his new bike and me and my wife with ours all the time she has now started asking about bikes. At this rate I will have my entire immediate family and some extended family riding in the next year or so.

Hill-Pumper

Mrs. Pumper wants another pair of shorts, I suggested a jersey, which we found one that she likes. She also wants to outfit her bike with matching accessories like water bottles and colored valve caps. She even wants to learn how to fix a flat and do some light maintenance work, so maybe another tool/spare parts kit to go on her bike.

PhotoJoe 

FIFY!

Hill-Pumper

Actually, she thinks her bike is "prettier" then the new Lynskey. Of course that is subject to change when it gets here.

chefisaac

Nice my friend.

A thought: forget the trainer. You live in a great area and depending where in ORegon, you get a lot of rain and not much snow. Both of you get some great winter gear (let me know and I can help) and ride in the winter. I did my first winter commuting this year and it was WONDERFUL.

Hill-Pumper

I actually have a good selection of winter gear since I ride mountain bikes year round and do some road training as well. Mrs.Pumper on the other hand likes to stay dry. So, a trainer makes sense since I could use it too.

bigfred 

Not unlike Mrs. Fred, who is a self proclaimed "fair weather cyclist". However, I suspect once you have "one" trainer in the house, you will "need" "two" trainers.

chefisaac

maybe she will change her mind.

I thought about getting one last year because I hear it snows a lot in NJ. I am new here so I have no clue but last winter was very mild. I still plan on commuting (or trying to) in the snow with studded tires but weekend rides might be a tad different.